What a brilliant day Lichfield Running Club had at the first event of our 2026 Grand Prix competition, Fradley 10k!

38 club runners took on the flat and fast course, a two lapper around the village, in near perfect conditions. They certainly appreciated the support from the non-running LRC members around the course; huge thanks to John and Sarah, Paul, Alun, Joy, Will, Pippa and families for your encouragement!

So many fabulous performances and many shiny new PBs achieved! First male home was Andy Evans (11th: 34:57): first female, Carly O’Neill (20th F: 43:59).

Here are the results in full:

Andy Evans (11th: 34:57), James Kay (14th: 35:18), Chris Benson (30th: 36:57), Matt Allan (36th: 37:34), Ed Coppinger (53rd: 38:24), Liam Chawner (67th: 39:07), Phill Brindle (136th: 42:02), Nick Parkes (180th: 43:51), Carly O’Neill (20th F: 43:59), Sarah Hayman (22nd F:44:10), J-P Nellist (194th: 44:16), Stephen Howard (218th: 44:47), Ben Richards (252nd: 46:01), Keith Lowther (269th: 46:48), Adam King (302nd: 47:45), Martin Shortall (307th: 47:50), Gail Fortes Mayer(72nd F:49:47), Alexandria Evans (94th F: 50:46), Katie Fawcett (107th F: 51:40), Phil Pinney (526th: 53:31), Sophie Webster (144th F: 54:06) Sophie Thompson (149th F: 54:14), Janna Heathershaw (156th F: 54:32) Carina Allan (161st F: 54:47), Des Adey (608th: 55:40), Clare Tanter (225th F: 57:18), Alan Miles (700th: 57:46), Beth Clarke (240th F: 57:57), Rachel Dobson (260th F: 58:51), Ryan Robinson (758th: 59:22), Laura Nellist (296th F: 1:00:05), Marian Lowther (325th F: 1:01:40), Paul Gilbert (909th: 1:04:16), Maria Andritsou (375th F: 1:04:18), Amy Kennedy-Brook (386th F: 1:04:39), Viktor Karaiosifidis (945th: 1:05:19), Marcelle Hollins (445th F: 1:08:16), Charlotte Wesley (463rd F: 1:09: 23).

Lichfield Running Club have celebrated achievements over the past year at our annual presentation and social event. Members gathered at Darnford Moors Golf Club and enjoyed a wonderful evening of food, conversation and congratulations!

Here are the winners:

Men’s Grand Prix
1st: Andy Evans
2nd: John Doyle
3rd: Dan Floyd

Women’s Grand Prix
1st: Jess Webb
2nd: Gail Fortes-Mayer
3rd: Joy Edge

Bob Connor Trophy (awarded for best age graded performance in the Grand Prix)
1st: Andy Evans
2nd: Ed Coppinger
3rd: Wayne Asprey

Time Trial Series
1st: Ed Coppinger
2nd: Paul Fowler
3rd: Owen Davies

Cross Country Series
1st: John Doyle
2nd: Ian Buckner
3rd: Dan Floyd

For the first time, an award was given for the Parkrun Challenge. This was won by Clare Tanter and will now become a regular part of the club competitions.

In addition to these, two awards are given annually: The Dave Nason Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the club and the Mike Green Trophy for Outstanding Running Achievement. These are decided by members’ votes and were awarded to Charlotte Wesley (for her support with Time Trials, supporting the Parkrun Challenge and for supporting the club in the BDSL & XC league – marshalling, running and always cheering on) and Phil Pinney (Celebrated for his journey from the beginners group to completing the Manchester Marathon) respectively.

This year, all those who competed in at least 5 of the Grand Prix events received a personalised commemorative t-shirt; these are modelled in the photos below!

A bouquet was also presented to Claire Wheat in recognition of her contribution to the club as a Run Leader.

Huge congratulations to all our winners! We look forward to seeing what you all achieve in 2026!

The presentation evening for the Burton and District Summer League was held in October, with our members winning a number of awards. For the second year running, our men won the team prize! An amazing achievement from some of our dedicated runners.

Our most decorated member was Will Packham, who came 2nd in the men’s U25 category. Will was also one of only four people to get an award for completing all nine races in the league. In fact, Will was declared the men’s overall winner for nine races completed which gave him another trophy! Hope you have room on your mantlepiece Will.

John Doyle came 2nd in the senior men category with Andy Evans winning the VM40, both taking these awards for the second time; Wayne Asprey came 3rd in the VM50.

Sophie Thompson came 2nd in the U25 women, whilst Jess Webb placed 2nd in the senior ladies. Joy Atkin came 3rd in the VL45 category and Gail Fortes Mayer was 2nd in the VL55.

Well done to all our award winners and our runners who took part in the league. We’d like to say a big thank you to all the clubs in the league for organising a range of great events throughout the summer. See you all at the start of the 2026 season.

The sun shone for the final event of the Burton and District Summer League – the Tamworth 5 Mile – after the previous day’s rain. There was a brilliant turnout from the competing clubs, with team and category prizes to be decided, and Lichfield fielded strong teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

The first LRC man to cross the line was Andy Evans (6th/2nd V40), in 28:08; Gail Fortes-Mayer was first female club finisher in 37:22 (11th F/1st F55).With league results still to be announced, we’re hopeful that the club will pick up some silverware at the presentation night in October; several members are also in contention for category prizes.

Full results are below; well done to everyone who ran!

6th: Andy Evans (28:08/2nd V40)
13th: Richard Bravington (29:28)
18th: Will Packham (30:07)
20th: Ben Stanaway (30:21)
21st: Matt Allan (30:51)
22nd: Chris Benson (31:04)
26th: Phil Radnor (31:17)
28th: Wayne Asbury (31:28)
31st: Ed Coppinger (31:41)
33rd: Andy Clay (31:48)
34th: Liam Chawner (31:41)
42nd: Dave Sanders (33:20)
78th: Stephen Howard (37:11)
98th: Nick Parkes (38:47)
11th F: Gail Fortes-Mayer (37:22/1st F55)
21st F: Jess Webb (39:12)
28th F: Joy Atkin (40:31)
36th F: Janna Heathershaw (44:10)
40th F: Sophie Thompson (44:45)
46th F: Carina Allan (46:35)
50th F: Clare Tanter (47:46)
63rd F: Abbi Storer (52:59)
71st F: Charlotte Wesley (56:25)
74th F: Libby Hyde-Durrant (58:06)
75th F: Aby Jones (58:46)

A huge ‘well done’ to everyone who took part in the Fun Run and 10k race on September 14th. We loved cheering you on and giving you your well-earned medals.

Near perfect running conditions produced some excellent performances. First home was Alex Lanz in 33:08, 2nd place was Alex Seabright in 34:35, with Finlay Cross taking 3rd place in 35:35. The first woman over the line was Abbey van Dijk in 36:50, breaking the course record which she’d set in 2024. Her sister, Laura Dutton, was 2nd in 39:11 and 3rd place went to Alana Dunn in 40:39. Great performance by you all.

We are all proud to have been part of such great running events; the races were the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the 10k committee and Fun Run committee, supported by all the club on race day. Thank you from the club to everyone on the committees; putting on the races is a big undertaking. The events produced a wide range of roles including handing out race numbers, making announcements, marshalling the course and pacing runners round the race. All done with a friendly smile and plenty of encouragement for the runners.

We also had club members running in the 10k and they all knew how hilly the course was before they set off. Our first member home was Chris Benson in 38:29; he was followed by Will Packham, Andy Clay, Wayne Asprey, Liam Chawner, Marco Marcatilli, Paul Mortimer, Adam King, Mark Job and Ryan Robinson. Our first lady home was Gail Fortes Mayer in 47:25, followed by Sarah Kay, Sophie Thompson, Daniella Gonzales and Maria Andritsou. Well done to you all, a fantastic effort. Next year you can join us to cheer other runners round the course.

We’d like to thank our race sponsors – Pegasus Group, Aqua Pura, Central Garage and Running Form for their support. Also to Lichfield and Hatherton Restoration Trust for running the water station at the half way mark.

August Bank Holiday weekend saw LRC members out in force to support Beacon parkrun in central Lichfield . From pacers to barcode scanners, tail walkers to Run Director, we painted the park yellow and filled a huge number of the volunteer roles.

We provided pacers for finish times from 18 minutes to 38 minutes. Our marshals got some practice in ready for Lichfield 10k, cheering everyone on enthusiastically. This seemed to bring a smile to many faces.

Thank you to all our members for giving up their time to support the 361 runners.

Special congratulations to member Joy Atkin on her 100th Parkrun! What a great way to start a Bank Holiday weekend!

Congratulations to our members who ran in the Burton 10k!

It was a warm day but everyone ran brilliantly putting in a terrific performance for the club.

5th Alun Thomas 35:20
6th John Doyle 35:36
7th Andy Evans 35:47
24th Chris Benson 37:57
32nd Ed Coppinger 39:29
33rd Owen Davies 39:42
34th Liam Chawner 39:45
35th Andy Clay 40:08
36th Matt Allan 40:14
38th Jimmy Pickering 40:24
46th Will Packham 41:01
59th Dave Sanders 42:59
109th Jess Webb 47:53
115th Gail Fortes Mayer 51:56
180th Owen Mitchell 54:01
218th Clare Tanter 59:44
258th Sophie Thompson 01:10:57
260th Libby Hyde-Durrant 01:11:07
270th Charlotte Wesley 01:13:12

A superb turn out!

The busy summer of running has continued for our members.

A sunny Wednesday evening saw the yellow shirts at the Staffs Knot Five mile race on Cannock Chase. It was another warm evening with some great performances.

First home was Andy Evans (28:39), closely followed by Richard Bravington (28:49). First woman home for LRC was Gail Fortes Mayer (41:07). Also completing the race were Wayne Asprey, Owen Davies, Joy Atkin, Paul Fowler, Carina Allan, Daniella Gonzales and Charlotte Wesley.

A big thank you to Stafford Harriers for putting on this event.

The yellow vests were out in force for the second time in a week at the Tara Kinder Memorial 10k, hosted by Derby Runner. It was another BDSL event on a hot and sunny evening, so our runners were glad of the shaded course. The race took place at Elvaston Castle Country Park with runners completing three laps round the park.

Despite the searing heat, 8 of our men finished in under 40 minutes. First home was Matt Orford (35.16), closely followed by Richard Bravington (35.20). They were followed by Dan Floyd, John Doyle, Andy Evans, Wayne Asprey, Steve Rivers and Phil Radnor. Andy Clay finished in just over 40 minutes and he was followed by Will Packham, Ed Coppinger, Owen Davies, Matt Allan, Nick Parkes and Stephen Howard.

Our first woman home was Jess Webb (48:55) followed by Gail Fortes-Mayer (50.15). The team was completed by Joy Atkin, Gemma Lunn, Janna Heathershaw, Carina Allan, Clare Tanter, Ann Schwarzenbach, Beth Clarke, Sophie Thompson, Libby Hyde- Durrant, Marian Lowther and Charlotte Wesley.Well done to all our runners for turning out in such heat.

Thanks to Derby Runner for a well organised event and especially for all the cups of water.

The Worthington 6 Mile Race, hosted by Ivanhoe Runners, was the first of two Burton and District Summer League races to be held in the same week.

This popular race follows an out and back route along the Cloud Trail, finishing at the Malt Shovel pub in the village. The trees along the trail provided some relief from the sun, and the beer and barbecue at the end of the race were very welcome!

It was another successful event for the club, with John Doyle finishing in third place overall, in a time of 33:46. Andy Evans finished in fifth (34:30). Esther Hunt was first home for the ladies (45:38), followed by Gail Fortes Mayer (46:08). John, Andy and Gail also scooped first place in their respective categories, whilst Will Packham took first prize in the Under 25 men’s. Thanks to the efforts of all our runners, our men’s team remain in first place in the league after the event, with the women in fourth. Well done to you all: John, Andy E, Will, Wayne, Steve R, Ed, Andy C, Phil, Owen, Steve H, Esther, Gail, Julia, Joy, Lorraine, Clare T, Libby, Marian, Charlotte and Aby J.

Thanks, of course, to Ivanhoe for staging another enjoyable event!